Bill would eliminate inactive commissions

SPRINGFIELD -- State government boards and commissions that no longer meet — or have never met — are a step closer to abolition after an Illinois House vote Wednesday.

DAVID THOMAS

SPRINGFIELD -- State government boards and commissions that no longer meet — or have never met — are a step closer to abolition after an Illinois House vote Wednesday.

House Bill 3816, which was sent to the Senate on a 106-8 vote, would dissolve any board or commission if it has not met once in the last two years.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, said the idea is to clean up government waste.

“Preferably, I’d like to go much further. I’d like to get rid of a lot of the boards and commissions,” Franks said. “We have some boards and commissions where executive directors are making six figures and they have not met. That is an affront on the taxpayers of the state of Illinois.”

Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Hill, questioned whether the legislation would apply to groups that have been unable to meet because the governor has not made all of the appointments because of partisan politics. Franks said that is already taking place.

“The auditor general said we’re effectively doing this. The difference is we continue to fund this and waste money, and we’re wasting time,” Franks said. “It can be reconstituted if necessary under a new governor. Any governor is going to have the ability not to put people on. Even though they should do it, they don’t have to.”